SC orders completion of trial of all sitting MPs, MLAs within year of framing charges

The offences for which such trials need to be concluded within a year of framing charges are those specified under the Representation of People Act.

SC is hearing a PIL by NGO Public Interest Foundation, seeking slew of court orders for decriminalisation of politics.

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered for completion of criminal trial for all sitting MPs and MLAs within a year of framing charges.

A bench led by Justice R M Lodha said that it would be in the interest of everyone that such trials are expedited so that either the disqualification provisions come into play or the tainted lawmakers are exonerated without any unnecessary delay.

The bench said that in cases where such trials are not concluded within a year, the concerned judge must intimate the chief justice of the high court the specific reasons for delay.

The offences for which such trials need to be concluded within a year are those specified under the Representation of People Act. The court is hearing a PIL by NGO Public Interest Foundation, seeking slew of court orders for decriminalisation of politics.